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What is Feng Shui

What is Feng Shui - Feng Shui Articles & Resources

Feng Shui Made Simple. Let the magic of Feng Shui work wonders in your life!

What is Feng Shui? A simple question, but not that easy to answer, as it is a complex body of knowledge which has been practiced in the Far East for over thousands of years. Feng Shui, literally translated means "Wind and Water", two essential elements to sustain life on this planet. The simplest and most concise explanation would be to define it as the art of living in harmony with the earth, based on the sensible notion that living with rather than against nature benefits both humans and the environment. It is a collection of practical, time-tested solutions based on the fundamental properties of elements that are used to change the negative aspects and introduce the positive aspects of each element to your living environment and change your life for the better.

According to Feng Shui, when we live our lives in harmony with the earth, we invite the universe's natural gifts of peace, happiness, and abundance into our lives. Although its origins are attributed to the Chinese, Feng Shui, by any other name, has been practised in almost every culture of the world in some ways. At its most basic level of understanding, Feng Shui is the interplay between the seen (our surroundings) and the unseen (energy and intention) - a method of creating balance between people and their environments; a system for arranging the surroundings in harmony and balance with the natural world around us. Your surroundings have a powerful effect on what you attract into your life. When the energy around you is blocked or unbalanced, your prosperity, relationships, health, and well-being can be affected. When the energy is balanced, good things naturally flow into your life.

Throughout the centuries, many types of Feng Shui have developed and evolved as new methods and ideas were instituted. However, the underlying foundation and principles remain the same. The knowledge of the importance of living in harmony with nature and having the cosmic energy of life, known as chi, flow freely around us is the basic principle of feng shui regardless of the type you practice. Feng Shui provide the means of arranging the basic elements of life—and all the things that you surround yourself with on a daily basis— to create the optimal and harmonious flow of vital life energy, just like the flow of water and wind. Hence, the core principle of Feng Shui is to live in harmony with your environment so that the energy surrounding you works for you rather than against you. After all, why swim against the tide?

Classical Feng Shui, also known as Authentic or Traditional Feng Shui, used by Feng Shui Masters for centuries, involves a scientific, yet practical approach to the enhancement of success and good fortune to the occupants of a building. As a science, it relies heavily on the use of complex formulae, calculations and a specialised feng shui compass known as a Lou Pan to analyse a property. The art of Feng Shui is the wisdom acquired from performing a multitude of analysis and knowing the exact degree to which the remedies (which are the results of the scientific analysis) are prescribed. It takes time, patience, practise and an enormous amount of study to master the skills necessary to be a competent Feng Shui practitioner.

Due to the complexities involved, not all of us are cut out to be serious Feng Shui practitioners of Classical Feng Shui. A lot of time and effort, and even financial investment may be required before one can truly follow and practice this type of Feng Shui. This is probably why Symbolism, one aspect of Feng Shui, is widely practiced, not only in Asian countries but the West as well. The reason why symbolic Feng Shui is so popular is its ease to practice and immense effectiveness– it does not involves complex formulas and calculations nor a hefty investment. Fence-sitters and even sceptics of Feng Shui may find themselves drawn to wearing some eye catching Feng Shui jewelry or displaying wealth enhancing water features- purchased on a whim or received as gifts. Gradually, as their lives improve, they will find themselves wanting to learn more about this amazing wealth of knowledge called Feng Shui. What a wonderful way to spread the benefits of Feng Shui!

Though touted as part of modern Feng Shui, the origins of symbolic Feng Shui go far back in Chinese history. The use of good fortune symbols, auscpicious animals, feng shui plants and objects pervade all the rituals, beliefs and folklore of China. Symbolic Feng Shui uses objects, often of Chinese influence, to remedy or enhance a location. When carefully chosen and placed in the right Feng Shui orientation, symbols can help bring good fortune, good health, prosperity and happiness to the practitioner. Feng Shui Symbols have been used for centuries in Feng Shui applications because of the power of symbols and associations, as well as because of the energy certain items embody. Symbols impact our subconscious mind and stimulate confidence, effort and good outcomes. Conversely, they can also be used as effective remedies against bad feng shui flying stars and unsuitable directions and locations that are diagnosed under other techniques of Feng Shui.

So, can redecorating and displaying symbols in your home or office really change your life? YES...if done correctly, Feng Shui will always improve your living and work condition. Many people believe strongly in these symbols not only for improve wealth, but also for longevity and healthier life, happy marriage and many children and fertility lucks. There are hundreds of symbols of good luck … found in paintings, pictures, jewelry, statues, figurines, animals, plants and many others. But it's important to remember that Feng Shui is not a magic "cure all" for all your problems...so don't expect to have everything without you putting in some effort yourself. Often opportunities are hidden...and come disguised as misfortune or problems. You can complain and feel sorry for yourself or you can take steps to create and change your own mankind luck. Feng Shui represents only one third of the Trinity Luck – Heaven, Earth & Man. Hence if you are not destined to become a billionaire, Feng Shui may not make you the next Bill Gates-that depends on your heaven luck- but it can still make you comfortably wealthy!

In its truest sense, feng shui is not aligned to any religion. It is more correctly called a technique for aligning the energy of a space. Nevertheless, many enthusiasts nowadays incorporate spirituality into their Feng Shui practice to maximise the benefits. It can be applied as a path for self awareness and spiritual wellbeing so that life is a little less hectic and more fulfilling. Feng Shui is not only about changing one's physical surroundings, but it is also about changing oneself from within- just moving around furniture — is incomplete without the support of mental and emotional Feng Shui. The use of deities and goddess, such as thangkas, Buddha images, a Star of David, crosses, crescents, and other icons serves to bring about a mindfulness of heaven’s role in the trinity of luck, and reminds us to seek the blessings of Heaven. Whatever your religious or spiritual inclination, Feng Shui must most importantly, be practised with a good heart and not intended to harm any being.

In the words of Feng Shui Grandmaster Lillian Too... “Feng Shui is not religious but spiritual, is not logical but magical.”!

Keep an open mind, heart and spirit. Open your doors to Feng Shui and you can have its benefits work for you as it has for hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Let the magic of Feng Shui work wonders in your life!